Portugal

In the last four years river cruising in Europe has gone on an expansion spree that has delivered ships mainly for the traditional major rivers in Europe (Germany, Austria). They have also expanded with gusto to the rivers of France and the Douro in Portugal.

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Government of Canada Travel Advisory

Last Updated: March 26, 2015 9:42 EST1. RECENT UPDATESA hyperlink was added.2. ADVISORIESPortugal - Exercise normal security precautionsThere is no nationwide advisory in effect for Portugal. Exercise normal security precautions.3. SECURITYThe decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.Petty crimeViolent crimes toward tourists are rare in Portugal. Non-violent petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, however, are on the rise. The petty thieves are very skilled, and often work in groups. Be vigilant in public areas, all tourist attractions, beaches, restaurants, hotel lobbies, bus stations, train stations and airports.In Lisbon, exercise caution at all train and underground stations, and particularly on electric trams numbered E28, to Castelo de São Jorge; E25, to Prazeres; and E15, to Belém.Exercise caution when travelling to Queluz and Sintra, to visit the castles and palaces, as well as to the Costa da Caparica beach, south of Lisbon. If visiting the Estoril coast and the village of Cascais, be especially careful at Guincho Beach, Cabo da Roca and Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell).In Porto, do not walk alone after dark, especially along the waterfront of the Douro River.Do not let your guard down outside of the main cities, as thieves may be watching and can strike anywhere. Be especially careful in the Algarve region in such towns as Lagos and Albufeira, as well as in small coastal towns along and up to the north side of the country, such as Aljezur, Nazaré, Ericeira and Peniche, where petty crimes have been reported.If you are robbed, go to the nearest police station to report the crime and obtain a police report. There are tourist police stations in Lisbon, Porto, Portimão and Cascais.Spiked food and drinksNever leave your drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. Drugs may be present that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.Road travelRental cars and vehicles with foreign licence plates are frequently targeted for break-ins. Avoid leaving personal items and documents (especially passports) in plain sight in a vehicle.If you experience car trouble, stop at a gas station or rest stop, if possible. If you must stop unexpectedly, be aware of your immediate surroundings and keep a careful watch on bystanders, including those who offer to help.Be suspicious of anyone signalling you to stop on roads or highways. Thieves have been known to use this tactic to steal valuables, unattended bags and even the vehicle.Incidents of thieves on motorcycles slashing rental car tires when the car is stopped at an intersection have been reported. This forces the vehicle to stop on the side of the road and allows for the thieves to approach and distract the passengers by offering assistance, while another steals belongings that are within reach. If this occurs, when possible, lock your doors and call your rental car agency or emergency services from within the car. Avoid opening your window, unlocking the car or stepping out of the vehicle. Official assistance and road monitoring vehicles are present on Portuguese highways and will come to your assistance. When possible, wait for the police to arrive.Do not open the trunk before you finish parking when you arrive at your destination; this prevents thieves from knowing what is hidden in the trunk.Whenever possible, use secure parking facilities, especially overnight. Do not leave your vehicle unattended and ensure that windows are closed and doors are locked at all times.Excessive speeds, unpredictable driving habits and reckless motorcyclists create hazards. Be aware that slow-moving machinery may be found travelling on rural and national roads.Public transportationLocal and inter-city train and bus services are good.Taxis are widely available. Confirm the fare prior to getting into the taxi or ensure that the meter is used.A tourism information kiosk in the arrivals area of the Lisbon airport offers a wide range of tourism information, including expected taxi fares, and sells taxi vouchers at standardized prices for many locations in the city and metro area. Use a taxi from the queue or kiosk and do not accept rides from someone who approaches you.A ferry runs between the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.Daily domestic flights link the mainland to the islands of the Azores, as well as to Madeira.See Transportation Safety in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.DemonstrationsDemonstrations occur frequently in larger urban centres and have the potential to suddenly turn violent. They can lead to significant disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Avoid all demonstrations, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media.Beaches and water activitiesWhile beaches are generally considered safe, do not leave your personal belongings unattended.During the summer months, deaths by drowning have occurred on beaches and in swimming pools. Take warning flags on beaches seriously. The Portuguese Maritime Police have the authority to fine bathers who disobey the lifeguard's warning flags. Don't swim at beaches that link to/from rivers, as the water currents can be very strong. Don't dive into unknown water as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death.In the fall and winter months, be cautious when walking along beaches close to the water's edge because waves can be very unpredictable in size and may come onto shore further than expected and with strong undertows. Do not visit beaches or coastal areas during periods of severe weather warnings. Exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities.Look out for signs warning of cliff erosion. Falling rocks are a hazard and authorities can fine those who ignore warning signs.In marine areas, coral, jellyfish and other ocean life found along reefs can poison, sting or cause infection if touched or stepped on. Ask local authorities about the presence of such species and whether they are dangerous.General safety informationYou must carry identification at all times. Keep a photocopy of your passport in case of loss or seizure.Exercise normal safety precautions. Ensure that your personal belongings and passport and other travel documents are secure at all times. Pay attention to your surroundings, avoid showing signs of affluence and do not carry large sums of cash. If possible, carry only the documents, cash and belongings you will need for the day, and leave all other items in a hotel safe.Emergency servicesDial 112 for emergency assistance.4. ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTSIt is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry requirements. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Portuguese authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the Embassy of Portugal or one of its consulates for up-to-date information.Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.PassportCanadians must present a passport to visit the Schengen area, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expected departure from that country. Prior to travelling, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules. Customs officials may ask you to show them a return ticket. VisasTourist visa: Not required for stays up to 90 days*Business visa: Not required for stays up 90 days*Work visa: RequiredStudent visa: Required* The 90-day period begins upon initial entry into any country of the Schengen area.RegistrationUpon entry into Portugal, non-European Union (EU) foreign nationals that will be staying in non-commercial accommodation and have transited through another Schengen country by air en route to Portugal must register their entry at any immigration office, or police station if entering by a land border, within three business days of arriving in the country.Schengen areaThe following 26 countries comprise the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.The Schengen area has common rules regarding visas and controls at external borders.You do not need visas for short-term visits of up to 90 days within a six-month period. Your stays are cumulative, and include visits to any country within the Schengen area. Some countries require that you register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival.It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen area.After 90 days of stay in the Schengen area, you must leave for another 90 days before you can re-enter.If you overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen area, you may be fined or deported. To visit for longer than 90 days, you must obtain a long-stay national visa.Children and travelChildren need special documentation to visit certain countries. See Children for more information.Yellow feverSee Health to obtain information on this country's vaccination requirements.5. HEALTHMedical services and facilitiesMedical facilities are generally good in major centres, but may be limited in rural areas. Many private hospitals and clinics exist throughout the country. Advance payment is required. Keep all receipts of payment to reclaim expenses if you have travel insurance.6. LAWS AND CULTUREYou are subject to local laws. See Arrest and detention for more information.Canada and Portugal are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Portugal to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Portuguese authorities.Illegal drugsPenalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.Driving lawsYou must be at least 18 years old to drive a car in Portugal.You can drive using a Canadian driver's licence for up to 180 days. An International Driving Permit is recommended.Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and a jail sentence.The use of mobile telephones while driving is illegal, unless the phone is fitted with a hands-free device.A reflective vest and warning triangle are mandatory in all vehicles. They must be used immediately if you are in an accident or stop your car by the side of the road.Use of low-beam headlights is obligatory at all times.Traffic violations may be registered by radar and tickets sent to the offender by mail.Fines for traffic violations are substantial and must be paid on the spot, or the vehicle can be impounded until the fine is paid.As in many European countries, toll stations are set up on highways.MoneyThe currency of Portugal is the euro (EUR).Credit cards are widely accepted and automated banking machines are widely available.Traveller's cheques are no longer commonly used but can be exchanged in local banks; a processing fee may be applied. The euro is the recommended currency for traveller's cheques.If you are carrying at least €10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, you must make a declaration to customs upon your entry or exit to the EU. The sum can be in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques or any other convertible asset. This does not apply if you are travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. For more information on the EU legislation and links to EU country sites, see the European Commission's Cash Controls.7. DISASTERS AND CLIMATEForest fires are common during summer months. Causing a forest fire is treated as a criminal offence, punishable by heavy fines or imprisonment.Heavy rain and wind storms may occur in the fall and winter months with the extreme weather changes.Portugal is located in an active seismic zone. While seismic activity is rare, it can be devastating.For up-to-date information, visit the National Authority for Civil Protection.